Shaving With Speick

 In the world of traditional wet shaving, certain products achieve legendary status—not through flashy advertising or elaborate packaging, but through decades of proven performance. One such product is the Speick Shaving Stick, a humble yet highly respected shaving soap that has earned a loyal following among wet shavers worldwide.

A Company Rooted in Nature Since 1928

The story of Speick begins in Germany in 1928, when founder Walter Rau created a company centered around a unique Alpine plant known as Speick (Valeriana celtica). This rare plant grows high in the Austrian Alps and has long been valued for its calming and balancing properties.

To this day, Speick remains committed to sustainable harvesting practices, ensuring that this rare Alpine treasure is protected for future generations while continuing to play a role in the company's products.

The Speick Shaving Stick

The Speick Shaving Stick is a traditional 50g shaving soap stick designed primarily for face lathering. Simply wet your beard, rub the stick directly onto the face, and build a rich lather with your favorite shaving brush.

Despite its modest appearance, the Speick stick has developed a near-cult following among wet shaving enthusiasts for several reasons:

• Rich, creamy lather with minimal effort
• Excellent slickness and protection
• Comfortable post-shave feel
• Compact and travel-friendly design
• Outstanding value for the price

Many wet shavers believe the Speick stick performs on par with soaps costing several times more, making it one of the best values in traditional wet shaving.

Shaving With Clubman Pinaud

Today I'm using ClubMan Pinaud. Clubman products have been around since 1810, and they show no signs of stopping. Thank goodness, because they are relatively inexpensive. which makes it perfect for the first-time wet shaver.

You can get a shaving soap, aftershave, Lotions, Reserves, shaving oil, shaving cream, and even a brush if you don't have one. Which is perfect for your first starter brush. After looking around the website, I found two that I didn't know about: Brilliantine for the hair, which is a new one for me, but I'm sure it's been around for a while. Also, Barber Spray's for that longer-lasting scent that carries through the day.

Shaving With Proraso Red

Today, I use what every wet shaver should have in their den, I'm talking about Proraso. Pick a scent that you like and make a purchase, you can thank me later.

Founded in Florence, Italy, in 1926, Proraso has become one of the most respected names in traditional wet shaving. For nearly a century, the company has produced quality shaving products that combine classic Italian craftsmanship with dependable performance. Their products are found in barbershops and shave dens around the world and are known for offering excellent value without sacrificing quality.

Proraso Red, recognizable by its distinctive red tub, is specifically designed for men with thick, coarse beards and dry skin. Enriched with Shea Butter and Sandalwood Oil, this soft shaving soap creates a rich, creamy lather that helps soften stubborn whiskers while providing excellent cushion and glide for a comfortable shave. The warm, masculine sandalwood fragrance is one of the most beloved scents in the Proraso lineup, offering a classic barbershop feel without being overpowering.

Shaving with eShave White Tea

If you are new to the company e-shave, I recommend trying the White Tea. An amazing scent on this one for me, and I have been chasing it ever since.

Light but not too light, it's just the right amount of everything.

This could not be any easier to load onto a brush, which is the method I used in the video. I just dipped a wet brush in and twisted it a few times, and this loaded the perfect amount, which created an amazing lather. The coverage was fantastic, and the slickness and glide were great. The post-shave feel was one for the books.

The eShave experience is one I think you will enjoy. If white Tea is not your thing, they have a few other scents in the product line: lavender, Almond, Verbena Lime, Orange Sandalwood, Floral, and fragrance-free.

When it comes to aftershaves, they don't have the traditional splash but offer what they call an Aftershave smoother, which, as far as I can see, is an aftershave balm. I've never used one before, so I can't comment on its effectiveness.

Shaving With Palmolive Shave Cream

Today I had the pleasure of using Palmolive Shaving Cream. Anyone who has used it knows what I'm talking about when I say it was a pleasure because it's just that good, and the best part is it's only a few bucks.

When I'm in a bind and want to get the job done, this is what I often reach for, on or off camera. It makes no difference. I have a few that I select from, and this is one of them. It's easy and fast, and you know it's going to work no matter how you apply it. On a brush in a bowl, face lather, massage it in; it makes no difference. Today I used a wet brush, placed a little in the bristles, and just started to face lather. It worked perfectly.

I personally have a problem with creams; they tend to dry out before the shave is over, but this time I was quick, and it really was a wonderful shave.

On Prime this week, I saw "Sarah's Oil" and "I don't think he'll get too far on foot."

Shaving with La-Savonniere-Du-Moulin

Today I have the pleasure of using a shaving soap that I purchased about 11 years ago. It was all the rage with the wet shaving community. The strange thing about it was the packaging. People had issues with it and didn't understand its function. Every wetshaving YouTuber had their own theories, but it all came down to this. The packaging was a way for the product to dry correctly, and that is all.

As far as the shave goes, it is an amazing experience to use the lather, which is fantastic, slickness and glide are very good, and the post-shave feel is high on the list.

I'm not sure if this is sold anymore; if it is, it's not in the same packaging, which might be a good thing. I would say if you can find it, give it a try.

Here is the website for you - https://la-savonniere-du-moulin.com/

First encounter - https://blog.wettheface.com/2015/12/review-la-savonniere-du-moulin.html

Gracie's Hot Dogs

There was a place right off exit 70 on the LIE that I always stopped at when my wife and I ventured to the Hamptons. Grace's hot dog stand in Manorville. It started as a hot dog truck serving passersby in the 70s and 80s, and they got so popular that they transitioned into a brick-and-mortar restaurant. It served so many that lines would be out the door during the peak of summer. The best part is that you could eat indoors or at one of the picnic tables outside. 

The service was great, and everyone, including the staff, was so happy to be there; you might even run into someone you met the last time you stopped by; it was what people coined a "Must Stop."

For years, we would tell people who didn't know about it. We even discussed what we would order as we got closer to heading out to the Hampyons, but one day it was gone. We saw it had closed for good. Both my wife and I became so angry at what we just witnessed. How could this icon be taken from the community without even a whisper? 

As it turns out, there had been things going on in the background for years that we never knew about, like zoning issues. This was a major problem. It might have been so big that the owners saw no way out of what could have been a very expensive court battle. So they did what anyone else would do: they sold the property in 2002 for $1.3 million. This allowed them to move and retire to Florida. Unfortunately, her retirement did not last that long; she passed away seven years later. 

For the next few years, my wife and I would pass that spot, look at each other, and talk about Gracies with fond memories and how amazing the dirty dogs were. To this day, I have never found a hot dog better than what was served at Gracies. 

Don Youngner